I am bound to the Ministers Code of Ethics
I signed as I became a pastor, which states that after a pastor has left
the congregation, he/she will not serve members of that congregation, or
come to worship with them, for a minimum of one year. This is to allow
the congregation and its interim and permanent pastors to get to know
one another, and come to a healthy way of doing ministry together. This
is a wise standard, for the pastor and the congregation.
The farewell reception on June 25th was
wonderful. It feels strange, though, to get cards that say 'good-bye.'
I guess I'm still getting used to the idea of not being a church pastor.
But also, I'm not moving away. While I am no longer the pastor of the
First Baptist Church of Mountlake Terrace, I'll be seeing you. Because
my budget does not allow me to move too far away, I'm sure to run into
many of you in our daily lives. I'll still be shopping at the same
supermarkets and warehouse stores, getting gasoline at the same
stations, getting my coffee fix at the same coffee shops, and going to
the same summer festivals and farmer's markets as I always have.
I'll be seeing some of you at Evergreen
Association events, too. There will be board meetings, the annual
convention, and the occasional fun event like Mariner's games where I'll
be present. The wider Evergreen family has become dear to me, and you
are still a part of that unique and beautiful family. I'm expecting to
see you as we participate in the region.
For those of you that don't know, I have
accepted an invitation to preach two times per month for the young
people's worship service of the Agape Korean Presbyterian Church.
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is no contract, pastoral duty or pastoral administration of any kind,
just pulpit supply as they get their program going. It's a month-to-month
speaking engagement to get me through the adjustment of working from
full-time to part-time (and the decrease in pay that comes with it.) For
the record, while they may be very young people, they don't respond to
preaching any differently than you do. You might imagine that it's a
hallelujah-shouting good time, but that's not so. They are quiet and
thoughtful, just like you, so this is not about favoring a more vocal
congregation. But it is still a fine opportunity to be of help to another
local congregation for a time. The Agape Church happens to meet at your
building. Though I don't intend it, I may unwittingly see some of you on
a Sunday afternoon, as I arrive to preach for the Agape youth. The first
time I am supposed to preach for them at the church after leaving First
Baptist is July 23rd. I realize that being at the building to preach for
another congregation may feel awkward to some of you. I am comfortable
with it because the responsibility, worship time, and congregation are
totally different. However, if it is too awkward for your interim pastor
or new pastor who will come, I will stop preaching for the Agape youth.
Thank you for the loving words you offered
me on Sunday, and for the gift you are as people of God. We still share
a community; I am your neighbor. When I see you in the mall or at the
gas station, I plan to say 'Hello' and ask how you are doing. I'll greet
you as a friend and offer a smile. I hope and pray you will do the same
for me.
God bless you on your journey!
Angela
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